Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed in Inmate's Death

LAWTON, Okla. (AP) — A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed by the estate of a state prison inmate who died nearly a year ago at the Lawton Correctional Facility.

The lawsuit seeking more than $10,000 was filed in Comanche County District Court against the state Department of Corrections, The GEO Group Incorporated, the prison warden and an unknown correctional officer for the November 12th, 2012 death of 39-year-old William Schrader Junior.

GEO operates the prison.

A corrections department spokesman declined comment. Representatives of GEO and the prison did not immediately respond to telephone calls and emails for comment.

An autopsy found that Schrader died of an overdose of medication for high blood pressure.

The Lawton Constitution reports that the lawsuit alleges that prison staff members were negligent in administering the medication.